18575 Main Street, Huntington Beach, CA
Diamond shape is possibly the single decision that will have the biggest impact on your engagement ring. While metal, setting, and carat size all play a role in your dream engagement ring, diamond shape is often the first thing people notice. In this post we are covering the top six diamond shapes.
The shape of a diamond can drastically alter the look of the ring, the way it catches the light, and how the stone sits on your hand. With any of the popular diamond shapes on the market, the idea behind the cut is to leave as much of the top of the stone intact as possible. This allows light to filter through and reflect the natural sparkle of the stone. Each diamond shape has different facets and cuts that help to make the diamond shine.
With more than ten different possible shapes, it’s easy to get overwhelmed while shopping. Here is a quick overview of the most popular diamond shapes that you are likely to see while shopping for an engagement ring, and how to choose one.
Find Your Perfect Diamond Shape
Round
The round shaped diamond is by far the most popular choice for engagement rings around the world, for a few reasons. Round is a safe bet if you aren’t sure what kind of diamond your fiancée prefers, as it is universally popular and shaped to capture the most light when worn. It’s also likely to please a woman with traditional style who doesn’t like anything too unique or funky.
Square or Cushion
Eye catching and unique, the distinctive shape of a square cut diamond draws the eye as it stands out against the finger. A square shaped stone is best for women with long fingers, as it can make short fingers look even shorter.
Pear
The pear-shaped diamond is less like the fruit shape and more like a teardrop, with a rounded bottom that comes up to a pointed tip. Pear shaped diamonds saw a surge in interest in early 2018 when Ariana Grande wore a pear-shaped diamond engagement ring during her short-lived engagement to Pete Davidson. Sources said she was drawn to the ring because it reminded her of the teardrop emoji symbol. Pear shaped diamonds are said to make short fingers appear longer and stand out thanks to the pointed shape, which refracts extra light.
Heart
A heart shaped diamond can stand out in a sea of engagement rings, because you do not see as many of them as the more traditional shapes. However, your fiancée might find the cut too cute or girly, especially if she works in a professional office environment.
Emerald
The emerald is a rectangular shape with multiple long facets cut along each side to encourage the light to reflect and sparkle. These are called stepped cuts, and they encourage light refraction. This cut can make the diamond attract more light than other shapes like a round or square cut. Fashionable and unique, many celebrity women love emerald cut diamonds for both modern and vintage-inspired engagement rings.
Princess
Like the emerald cut, a princess cut is a variation on a geographic shape. While the top of the stone is a square or rectangle, the bottom side comes down to a point. This inverted pyramid shape is due to the beveled cut, which creates multiple beautiful facets. A relatively new shape, the princess cut originated in the 1960s and quickly became the second most popular shape for engagement rings, behind the round shaped stone.
We are ready to help you find the perfect enagagement ring at our Huntington Beach showroom, or browse a selection online here.
"I had a great experience at Affinity and Co and Joe was extremely helpful. I live about 2 hours away so we communicated mostly through telephone and he would always make time to help me out. I highly recommend them. Thanks again guys!" — Justin S. on Yelp
Comments | Posted in Blog By Ashley Stephens
Monday, December 2, 2019 9:34:13 AM America/Los_Angeles
Citrine and Topaz: The Two Birthstones of November
Happy birthday to all those celebrating in November! This month features two birthstones: citrine and topaz. While they are often confused for one another, topaz is actually found in a wide spectrum of colors (including the lovely blue you see below).
Both November birthstones are known for their calming energies, bringing warmth and fortune to those who wear them.
Blue Topaz November Birthstone Facts and Jewelry
Topaz is one of November's birthstones. It is a soothing stone that has been said to calm tempers, cure madness and eliminate nightmares. While the gemstone is found in many colors, the most prized color is Imperial topaz, which features a vibrant orange hue with pink undertones. Brazil is the largest producer of quality topaz. Shop blue topaz jewelry here.
Citrine November Birthstone Facts and Jewelry
Citrine is November’s second birthstone, a variety of quartz that ranges from pale yellow to brownish orange in color. It is named after the citron fruit because of its lemon-inspired shades. Citrine has been referred to as the “healing quartz” for its ability to comfort, soothe and calm. It is believed to release negative feelings, spark imagination, and even attract wealth and prosperity. The largest supplier of citrine is Brazil. Shop citrine jewelry here.
"Affinity Jewelers is reputable, creative and honest, offer amazing technical ability and have reset a number of my blotched pieces from other jewelers in ways I could never had envisioned!They are reasonably priced while providing exceptional work.
I feel at ease leaving my jewelry with them for repairs, as well as fortunate for their expertise in design creation. Their jewelers are trustworthy, dependable and take the time to listen with the ability to deliver exquisite work! Affinity Jewelers is well worth the visit whatever your jewelry needs may be!" — Nancy S. on Yelp
Comments | Posted in Blog By Ashley Stephens
Wednesday, November 13, 2019 9:21:17 AM America/Los_Angeles
Are you dreaming of a holiday proposal? Maybe you are the planning type, or maybe your partner has always wanted to get engaged around the holidays. Whatever the reason, now is a wonderful time to start planning your holiday proposal— especially if you still have some research to do or want to begin the custom design process for your engagement ring.
From Thanksgiving to Christmas to Kwanza to Chanukah to New Year's Eve, the end of the year means friends and family gathering together for celebrations.
Begin planning your holiday proposal now:
1. Discover her engagement ring style (and ring size!).
Start to look at the jewelry she already wears. Does she wear minimal jewelry, or does she choose bold, statement pieces? Does she love the simplicity of a diamond, or is her jewelry box full of different colors?
It’s also a great idea to ask trusted friends and family members. It is likely that she has mentioned different styles she prefers— and maybe even some she doesn’t!
2. Explore different engagement ring options.
While your engagement ring turnaround time might be quick, it’s always better to begin your search early in case you want a custom piece or decide to include existing jewelry in your design.
While you might have an idea of what you like, seeing and feeling different designs might point you in a whole new direction! Stop by our Clearwater, Florida, showroom or look around online here.
3. Brainstorm the specifics.
With at least an idea of your engagement ring in mind, now it’s time to scope out the specifics of your holiday proposal.
Where? Huntington Beach has beautiful landmarks ready for a romantic holiday proposal! Consider locations that are important to you as a couple— and whether you'd prefer an indoor or outdoor proposal— for your dream moment.
When? Are there events over the holiday season where loved ones will be near? Even if you don’t want to propose in front of others, you might enjoy having them near to celebrate with after!
We are ready to help you find the perfect enagagement ring at our Huntington Beach showroom, or browse a selection online here.
"I am thrilled that I found this place! I was looking for a place close by so I can get my wedding ring bonded and replaces the batteries on several watches I had so I got into Yelp and read all the great reviews so I decided to try it. As soon as I walked in the door, I was greeted by a lovely staff. I interacted with 3 different staff and they were all so nice and fulfilled my needs. It's a family own place and they make you feel like at home I will definitely be coming back here for my next jewelry and I will totally recommend this jewelry place to everyone." — Mina R. on Yelp
Comments | Posted in Blog By Ashley Stephens
Tuesday, October 1, 2019 11:05:00 AM America/Los_Angeles
Happy birthday to all who celebrate a birthday in September!
Sapphires are rich in color, classic in style, and popular throughout history. Those born in the month of September are lucky enough to call this magical gemstone their birthstone. But did you also know sapphire is also a traditional anniversary gift for four wedding anniversaries? Learn more about this beloved, royal blue stone below.
Celebrate September birthdays with sapphires!
Sapphire Folklore
Folklore tells that sapphires will protect loved ones from envy and harm and grant the wearer spiritual enlightenment and inner peace. They are believed to offer healing properties for rheumatism, colic, and mental illness. Sapphires are also considered an antidepressant.
Sapphires as Anniversary Gifts
For couples looking for a traditional anniversary gift, sapphires are given for the 5th, 23rd, 45th and 65th wedding anniversaries. Couples celebrating these milestone anniversaries might consider a sapphire anniversary band that can be worn with the bridal set.
Comments | Posted in Blog By Ashley Stephens
Wednesday, September 4, 2019 10:57:41 AM America/Los_Angeles
You've found the one you want to marry. You might have even come up with how you will propose. Now, it's time to find the perfect engagement ring. There is a lot to decide when you shop for a diamond that your loved one is going to wear forever.
First you must decide on a metal, a setting and a style of ring. The size of the band and design can make or break how it looks on your future wife. But the biggest decision is what shape of diamond you select for the engagement ring.
The shape of a diamond can drastically alter the look of the ring, the way it catches the light, and how the stone sits on your fiancee’s hand. With any of the popular diamond shapes on the market, the idea behind the cut is to leave as much of the top of the stone intact as possible. This allows light to filter through and reflect the natural sparkle of the stone. Each diamond shape has different facets and cuts that help to make the diamond shine.
With more than ten different possible shapes, it’s easy to get overwhelmed while shopping. Here is a quick overview of the different diamond shapes that you are likely to see while shopping for an engagement ring, and how to choose one.
What Shape of Diamond is Right for Your Fiancée?
Emerald
The emerald is a rectangular shape with multiple long facets cut along each side to encourage the light to reflect and sparkle. These are called stepped cuts, and they encourage light refraction. This cut can make the diamond attract more light than other shapes like a round or square cut. Fashionable and unique, many celebrity women love emerald cut diamonds, including Amal Clooney,
Round
The round shaped diamond is by far the most popular choice for engagement rings around the world, for a few reasons. Round is a safe bet if you aren’t sure what kind of diamond your fiancée prefers, as it is universally popular and shaped to capture the most light when worn. It’s also likely to please a woman with traditional style who doesn’t like anything too unique or funky.
Square or Cushion
Eye catching and unique, the distinctive shape of a square cut diamond draws the eye as it stands out against the finger. A square shaped stone is best for women with long fingers, as it can make short fingers look even shorter.
Pear
The pear-shaped diamond is less like the fruit shape and more like a teardrop, with a rounded bottom that comes up to a pointed tip. Pear shaped diamonds saw a surge in interest in early 2018 when Ariana Grande wore a pear-shaped diamond engagement ring during her short-lived engagement to Pete Davidson. Sources said she was drawn to the ring because it reminded her of the teardrop emoji symbol. Pear shaped diamonds are said to make short fingers appear longer and stand out thanks to the pointed shape, which refracts extra light.
Princess
Like the emerald cut, a princess cut is a variation on a geographic shape. While the top of the stone is a square or rectangle, the bottom side comes down to a point. This inverted pyramid shape is due to the beveled cut, which creates multiple beautiful facets. A relatively new shape, the princess cut originated in the 1960s and quickly became the second most popular shape for engagement rings, behind the round shaped stone.
Heart
A heart shaped diamond can stand out in a sea of engagement rings, because you do not see as many of them as the more traditional shapes. However, your fiancée might find the cut too cute or girly, especially if she works in a professional office environment.
We are ready to help you find the perfect enagagement ring at our Huntington Beach showroom, or browse a selection online here.
Comments | Posted in Blog By Ashley Stephens
Thursday, August 1, 2019 2:40:00 PM America/Los_Angeles
Before you start shopping, consider not only how much you want to spend but how you will pay for it. If you can save the entire amount, you can pay for a ring in cash, but many people prefer to be able to pay a ring off over time with a credit card or in-store financing. Remember that getting engaged means that soon you’ll be spending money to plan and throw a wedding, so consider these upcoming expenses as you decide how much to budget.
The Two Month Salary Rule
While some people use the rule of thumb that you should spend two months’ salary on an engagement ring, this isn’t a hard and fast rule. This rule came to popularity decades ago, when the people getting married were likely to be younger, living at home, and not carrying student debt. You can use this figure as a guideline to help you start shopping, but do not feel that you must be bound by it.
The National Average
Sales figures show that Americans spend the most on engagement rings, with Australians spending the second most. The average engagement ring in this country costs around $6000 and is about one karat in size. Australian shoppers spend around $5000 and buy around the same size of diamond as their US counterparts. On average, buyers in other countries, like Canada and the United Kingdom, spend two to three thousand dollars less than Americans.
Using an Heirloom Ring
If a family member has given you a ring, but it doesn’t fit your fiancée’s style, you can work with a jeweler to revamp the setting, move the stone to a band made from a different metal, or add extra stones. This lets you keep the family significance while presenting your fiancée with something you know she will love. Taking this approach can end up costing less than purchasing a brand-new ring, and it gives the ring an interesting back story your fiancée can tell for years.
Diamond Cuts Can Make a Difference
If you know that your future fiancée dreams of a ring that features a cushion or princess cut diamond, you may need to spend a little more than you would on a ring with a round or oval diamond. These cuts take more effort to produce, but they reflect the light beautifully and grab the attention of everyone who sees them.
If you’re ready to propose to the love of your life, we would love to help you find the perfect enagagement ring at our Huntington Beach showroom, or browse a selection online here.
Comments | Posted in Blog By Ashley Stephens
Monday, July 1, 2019 10:07:07 AM America/Los_Angeles
Whether you've already asked or are looking forward to popping the question in the near future, finding the perfect engagement ring is a big deal! Like most big steps in life, communication is the first step, and picking out an engagement ring is no exception. Even if you or your partner are planning a surprise proposal, it's a good idea to discuss a few key factors as a couple.
You will wear your engagement ring for years to come, through all seasons and all life events, so now is the time to explore, discuss, and try on different shapes, styles, and sizes to find a ring that feels just right for you.
While you can visit our showroom today and purchase an engagement ring, there is a lot of value in a little preparation. Start with the questions below and visit our engagement ring experts when you are ready to find your dream engagement ring.
Which engagement ring styles catch your eye?
It's a good idea to get a basic understanding of different engagement ring styles to start off with. Consider a simple solitaire, a bold halo, or a pretty vintage design to get started. You can explore different engagement ring styles here.
What shape do you love?
There are a number of different diamond shapes or ‘cuts’ available, and having an idea of which you prefer (round, pear, heart, and more!) will make it much easier to find the perfect gem for your engagement ring. The diamond shape might be the most visually significant choice you make, so be sure to consider shapes that reflect your personal style.
Explore different diamond shapes and sizes here.
What kind of diamond or gemstone do you fancy?
Many couples are opting for engagement rings featuring a center or accent colored gemstones. Consider if you want only white diamonds, or if you'd like to include some color as a nod to your favorite color, birthstone, or the month you plan to marry. Consider sapphires, rubies, emeralds, or fancy-colored diamonds.
What does your budget look like?
It might not be the first thing you want to talk about when considering a proposal, but getting an idea of budget is healthy and helps set expectations for both partners. There are a lot of engagement rings out there, and getting an idea of budget early helps narrow the choices and keep you on track.
Do you know your ring size?
There are two ways you can find your or your gift recipient’s ring size. Simply use the ring size guide here using a few household items. Be sure to measure both at the beginning of the day and at the end, as your fingers are prone to change size slightly throughout the day.
Next up: Try it on for size.
While it's easy to fall in love with engagement rings on Pinterest or Instagram, it's also a good idea to try on different styles in person. You’ll want to know how the ring really feels and fits on your hand until you actually see it up close.
Let us help you find the perfect enagagement ring at our Huntington Beach showroom, or browse a selection online here.
Comments | Posted in Blog By Ashley Stephens
Friday, June 7, 2019 1:02:00 PM America/Los_Angeles
If you're a busy woman on the go, a lover of minimalist style, or a fashionista traveling from work to happy hour, everyday jewelry pieces are critical to your style. Basic pieces look fabulous on their own, work with bolder jewelry, and never go out of style. Collect everyday earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings so dressing up your look is the most effortless part of your day.
Here are some of our go-to everyday pieces we love from Tacori at Affinity & Co. Jewelers:
EARRINGS
Make it yours. Because your ears like to party as much as you do. From everyday studs to statement dangles, earrings are the perfect addition that completes your look, in a style that's totally your own. Shop earrings HERE.
RINGS
Complemented with wedding rings or not, rings are an absolute must in any look. A stacked look is trending and allows you to wear your favorites and really show off your personal style. Shop fashion rings HERE.
NECKLACES
A necklace is often the final piece to make any look polished. A delicate pendant makes a statement on its own and is even better when layered with other favorites. We love these stunning diamond pendants perfect for every day wear. Now the question is rose gold or platinum? Shop necklaces HERE.
BRACELETS
We love bracelets alone or stacked with our favorite watch. Bracelets are wonderful alone; stack them together to up the impact. Shop bracelets HERE.
We are ready to help you find the perfect everyday jewelry at our Huntington Beach showroom, or browse a selection online here.
Comments | Posted in Blog By Ashley Stephens
Tuesday, May 7, 2019 12:32:36 PM America/Los_Angeles
A halo engagement ring features a halo of smaller diamonds surrounding a larger center diamond. Unlike a solitaire engagement ring that showcases a single diamond, the halo engagement ring style pulls out all the stops to shine. This engagement ring style is perfect for the bride who really wants to maximize her center diamond— even making it appear a much larger carat size than it actually is!
Tacori halo engagement rings are perfect for brides looking for a romantic, classic look. This style can accommodate any diamond shape— and even works with three-stone engagement rings! If you are attracted to styles with maximum sparkle and a classic appeal, we invite you to explore Tacori halo engagement rings up close at our Huntington Beach showroom.
A twist on a classic halo engagement ring, a Tacori Bloom is a gorgeous design detail that will make heads turn with its added pop of sparkle. Tacori Blooms perfectly wrap around the center stones for a seamless blanket of diamonds. The spotlight bloom adds just a dust of diamonds. It is positioned beneath the center stone for a dainty look that adds a little extra sparkle to your ring.
All Tacori pieces are handcrafted with extraordinary care by artisans in California.
A Few of Our Favorite Tacori Halo Engagement Rings
Let us help you find the perfect wedding bands for your 2019 or 2020 wedding at our Huntington Beach showroom, or browse a selection online here.
Comments | Posted in Blog By Ashley Stephens
Wednesday, April 3, 2019 8:41:27 AM America/Los_Angeles
